Joseph Mosseri, Albert Mosseri, Oded (aka Eddie) Hakim, Elliot Shasho, and Andrew Li controlled numerous websites offering high-end fashion and name-brand items--primarily Louis Vuitton and Chanel handbags--at discounted prices, in some cases as much as 50 percent. The defendants claimed they could offer the discounts due to manufacturing defects that were, according to one website, "infrequently noticeable to the consumer."

Goods allegedly purchased from the sites were verifiably counterfeit and, in some cases, orders placed at the sites were never shipped.

The suspects purportedly failed to provide refunds to consumers who discovered their purchases were counterfeit and misrepresented the reasons for the disputed charges. Further, the suspects obstructed efforts by credit card processors to recover disputed funds from accounts they controlled.

"When criminals counterfeit goods, they harm the economy and legitimate businesses that pay their fair share in taxes and employ American citizens. It's the same as identity theft, but targets business brands rather than individuals. Postal Inspectors do not tolerate this crime and will aggressively investigate and bring to justice anyone who defrauds American consumers," said Inspector in Charge Philip R. Bartlett.

Inspector in Charge Bartlett extends thanks to agents of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations for partnering with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on this case.

# # #

About the
U.S. Postal Inspection Service: The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is one of the oldest federal law enforcement
agencies in the country. For more than 200 years, Postal Inspectors have protected
the U.S. Postal Service, secured the nation’s mail system and ensured
public trust in the mail. postalinspectors.uspis.gov